Ah, the '90s. 'Twas a good time to grow up. Maziwa ya Nyayo (missed that, drat), random Saba Saba riots keeping me out of school, all those other little bits that made moving from private to public school fun fun, good cartoons… Good times.
Most of the stuff that happened then, I'd like to stay in the past. Like the time in class two when Kama stole 1K from his folks & all the estate kids went on a candy buying spree. With painful results (story for another day). Some things, though, I want back ASAP. Not for nostalgia's sake, but for my sanity. & the list goes…
1. The old KTN
Don't you miss it too? The simple but elegant news set, the brilliant reporting, the awesome music shows (Jam-a-Delic, Rastrut), the stellar programming, the "66" logo… & how it was SOOO much better than KBC, the only other channel at the time. Catherine Kasavuli & Zain Virjee (they could gerrit! & knit a sweater with it!), Fayaz Qureshi, Njoroge Mwaura… All brilliant journalists. & when Maina Kageni had an English name, HAHAHA! What its become now… God help us. Bring it back.
2. Goody Goody.
It was my dentist MANY times, lost muy teeth to it. But it was oh, sooo, GOOOOD! I remember it used to drip all on my sweater, resulting in numerous beatdowns by moms (these detergent ads are lies. Soil your clothes ON PURPOSE in my mother's house and you will be killed). Cadbury, or whoever is responsible, bring it back.
3. Crunchies
From the super cool "I'm so exciiited!!" advert with chocolate beings diving into chocolate moats, to its oh-so-super-awesomeness, I really do miss it. I remember when no kid in their right mind bought Fudge & Mint Choc because Crunchie was just the ooooneee *insert Trevor Noah impression*. To the relevant parent company, bring it back.
4. The Different Fanta Types.
How we moved from a bajillion types of Fanta (yes I still drink it) to the fistful we have now, I dunno. Sparberry, Strawberry, Cream Soda, Apple, Passion… There was an abundance. I can remember when Blackcurrant had just checked in. Coca Cola, style up & bring them back.
5. IT Insecticide.
This when insecticide ACTUALLY WORKED. Before Doom, before insecticide was odourless. When you ACTUALLY had to clear a room after spraying that shiii, lest you choke to death. IT was lethal yo the point it killed my folks' TV. There was a roach on it, I sprayed it with wreckless abandon, and while the roach choked to death Mr. TV spluttered & died. Still haven't fessed up for that (hope my parents NEVER read this).
6. The Economy
Damn, it used to be hard to break a thao note. I don't think I EVER held one as a kid. When 50 bob would get you fries, sausage AND soda in CBD. When fuel used to be 49/= a litre, & moms STILL used to complain it was too expensive. Say what you want about M-oh-1, but life was cheaper then. If people were living from hand-to-mouth then, we must be living hand-in-mouth now.
Do enjoy your weekend.
What's on my playlist? Alexi Murdoch - All My Days.
